WSRQ (AM)
| |
| Broadcast area | |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1220 kHz |
| Branding | The New SRQ |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic hits |
| Affiliations |
|
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Inc. |
| History | |
First air date | January 1, 1961 |
Former call signs |
|
Call sign meaning | SRQ = IATA code for Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 27663 |
| Class | D |
| Power |
|
Transmitter coordinates | 27°19′27.2″N 82°29′45.3″W / 27.324222°N 82.495917°W |
| Translator | See § Translators |
| Repeaters |
|
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | wsrq |
WSRQ (1220 kHz) is an AM radio station licensed to Sarasota, Florida. It airs a classic hits radio format featuring 1960s, 1970s and 1980s songs. It also carries live sports including Tampa Bay Rays baseball and Tampa Bay Lightning hockey. It is owned by Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Inc.
By day, WSRQ is powered at 770 watts non-directional. As 1220 AM is a clear-channel frequency reserved for Class A station XEB in Mexico City, WSRQ reduces power to 15 watts at night to avoid interference. WSRQ is also heard in Northern and Central Sarasota County and throughout Manatee County on a pair of 250-watt FM translators: W295BH broadcasts at 106.9 FM in Sarasota and W237FJ broadcasts at 95.3 FM in Bradenton. Programming is also simulcast on two FM repeater stations: 91.7 WVIJ in Port Charlotte and 106.9 WSRQ-FM in Zolfo Springs.
History
[edit]The station signed on the air on January 1, 1961.[2] Its original call sign was WSAF and it was owned by Pan Florida, Inc. WSAF was a daytimer station, powered at 1,000 watts but required to go off the air at night. It eventually was allowed to broadcast after sunset but using low power.
It was announced on July 14, 2011, that WSRQ would be acquired by Florida Talk Radio, LLC.[3] Prior to June 29, 2018, the station was branded as "The Voice of Sarasota-Manatee" and featured a talk radio format.[4]
WSRQ was granted an FCC construction permit to move to a different transmitter site, decreasing daytime power to 770 watts and nighttime power to 15 watts.[5]
The station, along with its translators, was sold by Florida Talk Radio to Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Inc. effective December 10, 2018. The price tag was $520,000.
Translators
[edit]| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | FID | ERP (W) | Class | Transmitter coordinates | FCC info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W237FJ | 95.3 FM | Bradenton, Florida | 201660 | 250 | D | 27°28′32″N 82°32′10″W / 27.47556°N 82.53611°W | LMS |
| W295BH | 106.9 FM | Sarasota, Florida | 140532 | 250 | D | 27°20′23″N 82°27′55″W / 27.33972°N 82.46528°W | LMS |
References
[edit]- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WSRQ". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "New Radio Station On Air Sunday". Sarasota Journal. Sarasota, Florida. December 30, 1960. p. 13. Retrieved October 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ BUSINESS BUZZ: WSRQ Radio gets new owners
- ^ "WSRQ Radio changing formats Friday". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. June 27, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ^ "FCC Construction Permit". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
External links
[edit]- Facility details for Facility ID 27663 (WSRQ) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WSRQ in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
- Facility details for Facility ID 201660 (W237FJ) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- W237FJ at FCCdata.org
- Facility details for Facility ID 140532 (W295BH) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- W295BH at FCCdata.org
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